Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1887-02-02

Subject OF Discussion at the presbvferiau
Church Lmsf Night.

Church Last Night.
The following Is an extract Of the sub
ject discussed At the prayer-Ineeting in
the Presbyterian Church last night. IN
which the pastor said
Many Of the most important truths Of
our holy religion were presented in par
ables. IL was plain, simple way adopt
ed by Christ for the instruction of the
people. Truths mysterious and profound
in their character were taught in this
way. In the parable Of the marriage Of
the son Of the rich man we are told that
all things were prepared. When we know
the magnihcence and splendor In which
some of the kings of the East lived, we
have some conceptions Of the preparation,
when IL was announced that all things
were ready. When the Queen of Sheba
heard the wisdom Of Solomon, and saw the
splendor of his palace, the reports of him
that reached her distant home were far
below the truth, and she confessed that
the half had not been told her.
The feast prepared by Ahasuras. as de-
scTibed in the book Of Esther, In its dura-
tien and magnifcence surpassed anything
that ever occurred in our own country
The great feast made by Belshazzar,
though terminating in such alarm, must
everything is ready for such entertain
menis as these, we feel that il was the re-
suit of careful consideration, Of plans, Of
work by many hands, of great expendi-
ture of money. The people could not
conceive Of any thing that would require
more thoughtfulness, and care, and mon
ey, and would give king more satisfac-
ton, than great entertainment for his
subjects.
Now Christ likens the provisions made
! for our souls to the feast given by rich.
powerful Eastern king. The provision is
abundant. Its of the best quality. There
Is the greatest variety. Some one has said
that the gifts of God are so many that He
needed infinite space as the stole house,
and We need an eternity to exhaust the
banquet We have blessings upon bless
ings here, and the christian sees them
constantly increasing as he approaches
the close Of life. What we shall have
in the world beyond, we do not know, but
we have reason to think that Gods favors
to us will increase as We advance. even
as they do here. And this abundance is
not merely for the individual. but for all.
Centuries ago men were called to this
banquet. To-day larger numbers are
called, and there is no diminution of the
provision to supply their need. All classes
are invited, and there is enough to supply
their wants. Yea, there is enough for
every man IN every age and in every ma
tion
Nor has it diminished in quality. The
food provided for our souls is just as rich
and nourishing as that provided for the
early christians. There Is no substitution
of cheaper fare as the entertainment is
prolonged, as is too often the case in the
affairs of the world. We get the same
nourishing food that John, and Peter and
Paul, ana great company of the early
christians received. The provision made
by Christ is as interchangeable as Christ
himself. We are converted by the same
means, and our new life is nourished and
perfected in the same way, as their spir.
itual life was nourished and perfected.
Then as the abundance is great, so the
variety In the provision Is great, meeting
every want of the soul. We have instfuc
ton for the mind pardon, and peace, and
| JOY for the heart, rest for our WEAKNESS,
help for our weakness, comfort for s0r
row, grace to sanctify, and fitness for the
glory beyond. 1t differs from all other
sources of good. Some benefit the body
but do not affect the intellectual powers
| Some develop one power at the expense
| OF other powers. Some develop the men
tai, and do not help the moral powers.
| This religion develops mind and heart
when it has its proper effect. A true
christian must be intelligent as we'll as
good, for his religion awakens the mind
| at the time that il regenerates. IL sets the
man to inquiring what Christ is doing in
the world, and what He requires of him,
and in this age, when information is so
abundant, he learns daily the worlds
wants and his own duty.
Then this nourishment is brought to
him in several ways. 1t comes through
the Bible, which he ought to read every
day, and the many good books contain
ing Bible truth. Christ and the Holy
| Spirit present these truths to him. The
minister, as he has the ability and oppor
tunity, presents these great truths. There
is then, not only variety in the provision,
suiting il to every want of the soul, but
variety in the way in which it is present
ed.
Unqualified Pralse.-G. X. Keller
druggist Harrisburg, Pa, says; Almost
daily | hear the most enthusiastic praise
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